Weeks after Marvel Studios' presentation at the D23 Expo, Ryan Reynolds took the comic book movie news cycle into his own hands by revealing that Hugh Jackman would return to the role of Wolverine in Deadpool 3.
In a video, Reynolds shared that he was struggling to come up with an idea for the long-awaited threequel.
And so, when Hugh Jackman walked by in the background and Reynolds just asked if he would like to return to the role, the Wolverine actor responded, saying, "Yeah, sure, Ryan."
The video went on to reveal that Deadpool 3, featuring the two former 20th Century Fox heroes, would premiere on September 6, 2024.
But even though Jackman's response was casual at best, the same can't be said for Marvel fans once they learned the news.
Marvel Fans Respond to Deadpool 3 Casting News
Following Ryan Reynolds' announcement that Deadpool 3 will also star Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, the fan consensus online has been one of both shock and excitement.
For instance, @G_Reelz reacted on Twitter, posting, "my mind is absolutely blown:"
"Hugh Jackman returning as Wolverine in Deadpool 3 and my mind is absolutely blown in the best way"
At the prospect of Jackman's Wolverine in a Deadpool film, @EmansReviews posted, "This is gonna be bananas!:"
"It's HAPPENING!!! Hugh Jackman, aka Wolverine, is coming to Deadpool 3. This is gonna be bananas!"
Twitter user @sidewinder had nothing but praise for this surprising premise:
"This of the sickest thing they could’ve done for Deadpool 3"
@fftcocoon clearly loved this news as well and shared a similar sentiment:
"If I am dreaming please do not wake me up!"
@CINEPAPI commented on both the film's release date and the casting news, posting, "OH MY GOD THANK YOU GOD:"
"DEADPOOL 3 ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2024 AND HUGH JACKMAN RETURNS AS WOLVERINE OH MY GOD THANK YOU GOD"
Other fans posted their own hopes and expectations for the threequel, including @ToolofParanoia who wants to see "Wade fanboying over Logan so hard:"
"I hope a good chunk of #deadpool3 is just romcom shenanigans and Wade fanboying over Logan so hard."
@NeilMcGinnity noted that the upcoming film will be "the culmination" of "what feels like a decade of jokes:"
"If this indeed true, #Deadpool3 will be the culmination of what feels like a decade of jokes that will bring back Hugh Jackman as #Wolverine That could be special."
But perhaps @infinityhowlett summarized the fan base's emotions best in posting the following:
"i cannot believe that i am actually going to see the return of hugh jackman’s wolverine in deadpool 3. holy shit"
Why Deadpool 3 News is Shocking Yet Makes Sense
While audiences knew Deadpool 3 was on the way, Hugh Jackman's return as Wolverine - and in a Deadpool movie - is news that no one saw coming.
Even though fans have long hoped that Jackman would reprise the role in the MCU, it didn't seem likely given the actor has been playing Wolverine since 2000 and seemingly put that chapter of his career to rest with 2017's Logan.
Therefore, it's no wonder that the response from fans has been overwhelmingly positive.
However, even though Ryan Reynolds' reveal took audiences and the industry by surprise, the pairing does make sense.
After all, both characters were previously owned by Fox. And, in the past, Reynolds shared that his original idea for Deadpool 3 was Deadpool and Wolverine road trip.
In addition, both heroes have been waiting to make their MCU debut following Disney's 2019 acquisition of Fox and both characters have films that are R-rated.
Now, whether Deadpool 3 will stay true to what Reynolds initially planned, and just how their story will fit into the MCU, remains to be seen.
In the meantime, fans have yet another reason to be excited for Phase 5 of the MCU; and given the fan response to a Deadpool and Wolverine team-up, anticipation for this upcoming threequel is likely here to stay.
Deadpool 3 is set to premiere on September 6, 2024.
